hall I release
myself as best I can with sword and spear."

"You speak well and wisely," answered the duchess, and she ordered that
the drawbridge be lowered.

Gareth rode into the court-yard, where he alighted and gave his horse to
a stableman. Then he was led to the hall, where his dwarf removed his
armor.

"Madam," he said, "I shall not leave this hall to-night. When it comes
daylight if any one wants to fight me he will find me ready."

Supper was now prepared, the table being garnished with many goodly
dishes, and the duchess and other fair ladies sat by while Gareth ate,
some of them saying that they never saw a man of nobler carriage or
aspect. Shortly after he had supped, his bed was made in the hall, and
there he rested all night.

In the morning he heard mass and took his leave of the duchess and her
lady attendants, thanking her warmly for his lodging and the good cheer
she had set before him. She now asked him his name.

"Madam," he replied, "my name is Gareth of Orkney, though some men call
me Beaumains."

Hearing this, she bade him adieu with great courtesy, for she now knew
that she had entertained the knight who had rescued Dame Lioness, and
the victor at the tournament.

As for Gareth, he rode onward mile after mile, till he found himself on
a mountain side, where he was confronted by a knight named Sir
Bendelaine, who demanded that he should joust or yield himself prisoner.
Gareth, angry at this demand, rode against the freebooter and smote him
so furiously that his spear pierced his body, so that he died on
reaching his castle.

Quickly a throng of his knights and servants, furious at their lord's
death, rode after the victor and assailed him fiercely. When they saw
how well he defended himself, they attacked his horse and killed it
with spear-thrusts, and then rushed in a body on the dismounted knight.
But they found him still more than their match, for one after another of
them fell beneath his sword till only four were left. These fled in
terror to the castle, and Gareth, taking the best of their horses, rode
leisurely on his way.

Many miles farther had he gone when he found himself near a roadside
castle, from whose walls there came to his ears dismal lamentations in
ladies' voices. While he stood wondering at this there came by a page.

"What noise is that within the castle?" asked Gareth.

"Sir knight," answered the page, "within this castle there are thirty
ladies, all widows,